BlueSky Celebrates 20 Years of Online Learning

In the state of Minnesota and across the nation, public schools have closed due to COVID-19 and are now acclimating to this new normal of “distance learning”. This has been a huge, abrupt shift for most schools. And, as can be expected, some schools have been more successful than others, and children and their parents are having varying levels of success with learning at home. As expected, online learning is getting more popular and enrollment at schools specializing in online learning is dramatically up. 

For the past 20 years, BlueSky has been operating as an online school, serving students in a way that was seen as very untraditional. Now it would seem that the “normal” schooling system is changing.  

We are grateful to have been around for 20 years, and we want to share what we’ve learned with students, teachers, and parents to help them adjust to online learning. 

 

20 Years of Virtual Education

20 years ago, BlueSky started what is now Minnesota’s most established online public charter school.  Since 2000, we have provided a free, high-quality online curriculum to Minnesota students in grades 7-12.  We are grateful and proud to be one of Minnesota’s very first virtual schools offering world-class education to students from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds. 

 

Distance Learning Tips for Parents 

BlueSky was started by a parent who was searching for quality online education for her daughter. And 20 years later, she has seen BlueSky overcome challenges, and see great successes.  We want to pass what we have learned onto you as you take on the role of educator for your children during this time of distance learning. 

Communicate and Keep Everyone on Schedule

Regardless of the age of your student, keeping them on task in a new learning environment can be a challenge! We understand this very well. To help with this change, communicate expectations clearly and frequently. Keeping everyone informed and on schedule can take some of the chaos out of the day. 

BlueSky is unique in this regard, we have a 3 person team that communicates regularly and helps keep students on task. Communication to students and parents is constant and consistent and expectations are clear while being flexible. This helps to alleviate some of the burden parents are currently feeling trying to be the teacher at home and feel like they have to know all the content as well as the expectations of each individual teacher. We give students the transparency they crave by utilizing an academic snapshot to support them in monitoring their own progress.

If students know exactly what to do and for how long, and know when they can expect breaks, snacks, mealtimes, and time outside, they will be better able to focus. For younger children, this can be an excellent opportunity to teach them how to tell time or learn time management skills. 

Setting limits or scheduling screen or TV time and removing other distractions can be helpful as well. 

Take Breaks Frequently

Students are likely finding it difficult to focus at home. Most adults who are unused to working at home probably feel the same way. Schedule frequent breaks to give everyone a chance to relax, run around, get outside, have a snack or otherwise get the wiggles out. 

Fresh air, with appropriate safety and social distancing in place, is still recommended for everyone. Let your student take frequent breaks to get outside, have a snack, or communicate with friends. 

Provide Feedback and Hands-on Help When Possible

If your student is used to or benefits from a more hands-on teaching approach, find ways to provide that in-person interaction and feedback in a way that works with both of your schedules. The teaching-style provided here at BlueSky strives to be very hands-on and interactive recommend this approach to distance learning as well so students remain engaged. Our teachers provide frequent and specific feedback on student work and are available for one-on-one instruction for each student. 

You can take 10 minutes to review their work together, providing constructive and supportive feedback. Or find other ways to make sure they’re getting the support they need, such as daily feedback sessions with their teacher or setting up some time for them to work with their fellow students.

 In this chaotic time, everyone can benefit from mindfulness practices to help calm down and focus. Look into breathing exercises, affirmations, or perhaps even a couple of yoga poses or a stretching session that is age-appropriate before having your student settle into their schoolwork.

Use the Tools Available

Hopefully, your student’s school has provided tools that they should use for their at-home education. An integrated system that provides a one-stop-shop to keep track of assignments, communication logs, attendance, and other school activities can be worth its weight in gold as you’re trying to manage it all. 

BlueSky does this exceptionally well. We have had many years to develop our integrated systems and it is unique to us. All assignments and instructional content is found within our Moodle environment, even if students have to watch a YouTube video or content through another program (like MathXL), they can still gain access through their Moodle account which keeps things organized for our students and prevents them from having to remember multiple passwords. 

In addition, there are several free tools available that can be useful. Conference apps such as Zoom or Google Hangouts can be used for the student to communicate with their teachers, fellow students, or friends. Also, Facetime, Messenger, and other video calling apps can help students connect and avoid feelings of isolation.

Use Google Calendar or other sharable calendar apps to communicate the schedule and keep students on task. 

We wish you luck in this strange time, and we hope your students are settling into their new normal.  If you have any questions about BlueSky, contact us here!